Teaching & Learning Program at SUNY Plattsburgh

Teaching and Learning Master's Degree

(Still accepting applications for summer or fall 2013)

Our Teaching and Learning Masters Degree Allows You To...

• Benefit from integrated studies.
• Use advanced technology.
• Choose electives in your areas of interest.
• Complete academic courses in the afternoon, evenings, or summer.
• Choose to complete the program at SUNY Plattsburgh's main campus or branch campus in Queensbury.

Master of Science in Education (M.S. Ed.) in Teaching and Learning (30-33 credits)

The M.S. Ed. in Teaching and Learning (30-31 credit hours) meets New York State Education Department (NYSED) standards for the integration of content and pedagogy and can be completed at SUNY Plattsburgh's main campus in Plattsburgh or our branch campus in Queensbury.

Most certification subject areas are represented in the four core courses that focus on advanced studies in curriculum, assessment, content pedagogy and mastery teaching. Within the core, students also have the opportunity to further their knowledge in their academic areas through specialized study with content mentors. Three concentration areas are available in which students can study literacy education (9 credits), special education (9 credits), and early childhood education (12 credits). Nine credits of elective study are also built into the program in order to allow students to explore graduate-level study in a variety of educational or content area topics.

Certification Eligibility

If you have certification in childhood 1-6, music, visual arts, biology, chemistry 7-12, earth science 7-12, English language arts 7-12, French 7-12, mathematics 7-12, physics 7-12, social studies 7-12, or Spanish 7-12, you will be eligible for professional certification upon successful completion of the program through the TEACH Approved Pathway.

Students will NOT be recommended for INITIAL certification upon completion of the literacy and/or special education concentrations.

Students in the early childhood concentration, upon completion of the teaching & learning program, will be advised to enroll in the Certificate in Early Childhood B-2 program in order to be eligible for recommendation for initial B-2 certification.

Program Prerequisites

NYS Teacher Certification in Childhood 1-6, Music K-12, Visual Arts K-12, French 7-12, Spanish 7-12, English 7-12, Social Studies 7-12, Mathematics 7-12, Earth Science 7-12, Biology 7-12, Chemistry 7-12, Physics 7-12. SUNY Plattsburgh cannot accept applicants who hold initial/provisional certification in other areas (e.g., physical education, health education, business education, technology, etc.).

Program Requirements

• View the course curriculum for the M.S. Ed. in Teaching and Learning. Note: this 248kB PDF file requires the latest version of Acrobat Reader, which is available as a free download.
• View course education descriptions.

Admission Requirements and Interview Dates

The application deadline for summer or fall matriculation is February 15 each year. The application deadline for spring matriculation is October 15. The application deadline for fall 2012 applicants is still open since the program is new. We have set a soft application deadline date of June 15, 2012. However, applications will be accepted after the June 15 deadline.

Admission to SUNY Plattsburgh is granted without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or handicap.

To get an Application for Graduate Study, contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (800) 723-9515 or graduate@plattsburgh.edu. Include the materials required in the list below and send them to the Graduate Admissions Office with your completed Teacher Education Application for Graduate Study on or before the deadline.

• Evidence of a 2.75 undergraduate G.P.A. (as shown on your undergraduate transcript).
• Three teacher recommendation forms/letters (at least two must be from a professor or academic advisor if you are currently taking graduate courses or if you have taken undergraduate or graduate courses within the last three years) that address your ability to take part in a graduate program in education.
• A Statement of Purpose indicating why you want to enter this specific program.
• Evidence of superior achievement in courses most closely aligned with your teaching and/or certification area.
• Appropriate preparation at the baccalaureate level.
• A copy of your Teaching Certificate at the elementary and/or secondary level OR a written explanation indicating how all NYSED requirements (including NYSTCE exams) for such a certificate will be completed prior to matriculation into this M.S. Education program. You cannot be admitted into the program until you submit passing scores on all NYSTCE exams.
• Attendance at an on-campus interview, if invited.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates must complete a capstone project, a portfolio, and a mastery teaching experience in a P-12 setting. The capstone project is in the area of content study and requires the candidate to integrate research and pedagogy. The portfolio begins in the introductory core course, EDU 5201, continues throughout the program, and ends during the final core course, EDU 5204. The mastery teaching experience also occurs as part of the course requirements in EDU 5204.

Questions, Comments, Information?

For information about the M.S.Ed. in Teaching and Learning at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:

Heidi Schnackenberg, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Teacher Education Unit
Program Area Coordinator, M.S.Ed. Graduate Programs
Office Location: Sibley Hall 309
Phone: (518) 564-5143
Fax: (518) 564-2149
Email: heidi.schnackenberg@plattsburgh.edu

Jennifer Clancy

Secretary
Phone: (518) 564-2125
Email: jclan001@plattsburgh.edu